Z Mart Murder Victim Was Running A Gambling Game: Witnesses

NASHVILLE, TN -- The man killed outside a North Nashville gas station Dec. 21 was allegedly operating a "game of chance" at the time of his murder.

Louis Lisi, 56, died after he was shot by two men outside of the Z Mart at 26th Avenue and Clarksville Pike in what was believed initially to be a robbery bid. The operators of the Z Mart said Lisi was selling toys from a trailer in the gas station's parking lot, but witnesses said he was operating a gambling game, according to a police press release, and the other man who was shot - 64-year-old William Fox - was acting as security for Lisi, sitting in a nearby car.

Regular customers of the gas station and witnesses told Channel 4 that Lisi's game was similar to bingo. Players would earn points based on a series of rolling balls and the points could be exchanged for prizes, including a flat-screen television.

“You saw them every day,” one witness told the station. “There were a lot of people going back and forth trying to win a prize because it was getting close to Christmas time. Anybody would want a flat-screen TV.”

Another witness told the station that a number of people had complained about being scammed by Lisi.

Metro Police released surveillance footage of two persons of interest whose clothing matches that of the shooter.

Photos via Metro Nashville Police